After winning the French Formula Three title in 1984 at his second attempt, with the topline ORECA team, Olivier progressed with the team to Formula 3000 and showed well, but it was to be four years before he scored two wins for the GDBA team and ended up second overall to Roberto Moreno. He thus graduated from motor racing's second division, landing a ride with Ligier for 1989.

Fittingly, Olivier scored his first points on home soil, but the next three seasons - spent with Osella, Fondmetal and then Tyrrell - produced nothing. Nothing, that is, except regular fist-shaking from other drivers as he wandered into their path when they were on a flier in qualifying, or obstructed the leaders as they came up to lap him.

No one was sad to see Olivier go and try his luck in Indy Cars but, after failing in that, he returned to Europe and was a frequent winner in a McLaren in GT races in 1995 and 1996.

Reproduced from The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Formula One published by Carlton Books